Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt dies from severe infection aged 68

Colin Ainscough

Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has died after suffering from a severe infection at the age of 68, his manager has said.

The veteran musician was taken into hospital in Marbella, Spain, on Thursday evening due to complications with a pre-existing shoulder injury.

He died there at lunchtime on Saturday, his manager and family said in a statement.

The statement said: " We are truly devastated to have to announce that Status Quo guitarist Rick Parfitt has passed away at lunchtime today.

"He died in hospital in Marbella, Spain as a result of a severe infection, having been admitted to hospital on Thursday evening following complications to a shoulder injury incurred by a previous fall.

"This tragic news comes at a time when Rick was hugely looking forward to launching a solo career with an album and autobiography planned for 2017 following his departure from Status Quo's touring activities on medical advice.

"He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, fellow band members, management, crew and his dedicated legion of fans from throughout the world, gained through 50 years of monumental success with Status Quo.

"Rick is survived by his wife Lyndsay, their twins Tommy and Lily and Rick's adult children Rick Jnr and Harry.

"No further comment will be made at this time and Rick's family, and the band, ask for their privacy to be respected at this difficult time."

The Surrey-born guitarist had been dogged by health concerns for years, most recently pulling out of the band's tour following a heart attack over the summer.

Manager Simon Porter said at the time Parfitt had "died" for several minutes, which had affected him mentally.

He first suffered a quadruple heart bypass in 1997 after touring with the band for decades, during which time he had weathered drink and drug problems.

As a member of Status Quo, Parfitt found success globally with hits such as Rockin' All Over The World and Whatever You Want.

In 2015, the band passed a milestone enjoyed by only a handful of musicians - spending a total of 500 weeks in the UK album charts.

Following news of his death, their official website updated to show a full-screen picture of the rocker on stage with his guitar.

Doctors first informed Parfitt his lifestyle of rock and roll debauchery could cost him his life after his first bypass in 1997.

But, despite cutting down on his vices, he vowed not to become a "born-again Christian" and still enjoyed the "odd pint".

He joins a long list of celebrated musicians to have died in 2016 - including David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen.

His son, Rick Parfitt Jr, paid tribute to his late father, writing on Twitter: "I cannot describe the sadness I feel right now. To many he was a rockstar, to me he was simply 'Dad', and I loved him hugely. RIP Pappa Parf"

In 1985, Status Quo fronted one of the biggest concerts all time when they opened the show for Live Aid at Wembley Stadium, London.

Tearing into a rendition of Rockin' All Over the World, the band sent the thousands of spectators into a frenzy at the historic spectacle, set up to tackle global poverty.